Mary Ellen, daughter of Stephen and Jennie Melesko, was a beloved mother and grandmother, devout Christian and long-time parishioner of Saint Thomas church, a philanthropist, an avid hiker and nature enthusiast.

Before her retirement from New Britain High School, she held positions at AT&T in Meriden and Critikon in Southington. Her deep connection and appreciation of nature is apparent in a quote about what she enjoyed most about her job at NBHS; “Watching the students mature throughout their high school years is like watching a bed of flowers opening up in the sun.”

Ms. Melesko is survived by three children; daughter Beth, husband Joe and children Sam, Elise, Luke and Jason of Wynnewood Pennsylvania, son Michael and wife Heidi of Ditzingen, Germany, and daughter Jessica, husband Steve and children Hayden, Carter and Savannah of Apex, North Carolina.

Her surviving siblings include; sister-in-law Mary of Portland, CT, sister Charlotte and husband Ed of Farmington, brother Jerry and wife Mary Beth of Meriden, and brother Vinny and wife Marlene of East Lyme.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at St. Thomas Church, 99 Bristol St., Southington. Burial will be at St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington. For online condolences and directions please visit, www.dellavecchiafh.com. A reception for family and friends will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).